Machine for operating on shoe parts



Aug. 29, 1939;

A. A. LAWSON MACHINE FOR OPERATING 0N SHOE PARTS Filed April 1, 1937 4Sheets-Sheet 1 sax //v VEN 777/? Mg. 29, 1939. wso

maczmm FOR OPERATING on SHOE PARTS Filed April 1, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2wux Awww w mam .7

Aug, 29, 1939. A. A LAWSON MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON SHOE PARTS FiledApril 1, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 m 222 22% 230 22g} 132 1 174 m 22s i 2263 122 T l I 150 m /A/ VENTUR Aug. 29, 1939. A, LAWSQN 2,170,823

MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON SHOE PARTS Filed April 1, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4//VVE/VTL7R m W d-1 M Patented Aug. 29, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEAxel A. Lawson, Beverly,

Mass, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Paterson, N. J., a.corporation of New Jersey Application April 1, 1937, Serial No. 134,367

41 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for operating onshoe parts and isillustrated herein with particular reference to molding or conformingupper materials such, for example, as quarter linings.

Quarter linings for shoes are usually made from relatively thin, pliableleather and, while some of them are made in two pieces with a central orback seam therein which makes it possible by proper cutting of the partsto produce a bulge or pocket in the quarter lining for fitting over theheel end portion of a last, many quarter linings are cut from a singlepiece of material which will not fit smoothly around the curvature atthe heel portion of a last.

Objects of the present invention are to provide an improved machine forshaping shoe parts to fit the curvature of a last and to provide animproved method of shaping such parts.

In accordance with one feature of the invention means is provided forholding a work piece such as a quarter lining with a portion thereofunsup ported and for clamping the work piece at and completely aroundthe periphery of the unsup- 5 ported portion. The unsupported portion isthen molded and stretched by additional means to form a last receivingbulge, this additional means being adapted to stretch the unsupportedportion of the work piece substantially uniformly 30 throughout itsentire area. As herein illustrated, the supporting means comprises ablock with an opening of predetermined size and shape therein and theclamping means is constructed and arranged to clamp a substantial widthof the work 5 piece surrounding said opening in a flat position and withsubstantially equal pressure throughout, said clamping means beingarranged to adjust itself automatically for operating on work pieces ofdiiferent thicknesses. Moreover, the

40 pressure of said clamping means is sufficient to insure against thework piece slipping and thereby causing its original shape or peripherytobecome deformed. The uniform stretching of the quarter lining duringthe molding of the bulge 45 therein attained, as herein illustrated, byreducing friction between the workpiece and the molding means, which isin the form of a plunger, so that the portion of the work piece engagedby said plunger will be stretched as much as por- 50 tions that arebridged between the plunger and the periphery of the opening in thesupporting block. The plunger is shaped in plan view to correspond tothe shape of the opening in the supporting block and is convex on itswork engaging 55 surface to produce the desired bulge.

In accordance with another feature of the invention the plunger isarranged to be moved positively a predetermined distance, in shaping aquarter lining, by power operated mechanism and means is providedindependent of the power 5 operated mechanism for adjusting the positionof the plunger relatively thereto and in accordance with the size andthickness of the work.

Still another feature of the invention resides in improved means fordetermining the position 10 of the Work piece on the supporting block,said 7 means also acting as an ejector for automatically removing thework from the machine after it has been operated upon. As hereinillustrated, the combined gaging means and ejector is adjustable 15relatively to the supporting block andthe arrangement is such that thisadjustment may be accomplished without diminishing its efiectiveness asan ejector.

In its method aspect the invention provides an 20 improved procedure fortreating quarter linings for shoes which comprises clamping an annularportion of a quarter lining in a substantially flat position with acentral or intramarginal portion thereof unsupported, and forcing theunsupported portion out of said flat position to mold a last reecivingbulge therein, the molding action operating also to stretch the entireunsupported portion beyond the limit of its elastic recovery so as torender the bulge permanent.

With the above and other objects and features in view, including alsoimproved means for facilitating the ejection of the work from themachine, and means for preventing injury to the operator in handling thework, the invention will 5 now -be described in connection with theaccompanying drawings and will thereafter be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine embodying the presentinvention with parts broken away and in section;

Fig. 2 is a detail view of a work supporting and receiving device withwhich the machine is provided; y

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine with the top cover removed;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the operating instrumentalities at the front ofthe machine with upper portions omitted;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a cross section of anedge portion of the clamping member or holddown and illustrating themanner in which a rubber facing member is attached thereto;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the center of thefront portion of the machine;

Fig. 7 is a further enlarged sectional view of the operatinginstrumentalities of the machine in operative position;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of mechanism for adjusting a combined workgage and ejector with which the machine is provided;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view through the adjusting hand wheel of themechanism shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the machine as viewed in a directionparallel to the plane of the work with the mechanism at the rear of themachine omitted;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view similar to Fig. 10 of the operatinginstrumentalities of the machine in operative position, the work supportand. clamping member being shown in section;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a quarter lining after the machine hasoperated thereon; and

Fig. 13 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of the heel portionof the quarter lining in the position it assumes when bent around therear end of a last.

The machine comprises a lower frame I 6 adapted to be mounted on a benchor other support and having hinged to its upper portion on 'pivot pinsl8 (Fig. l) a cover 26 which may be swung back about the pins l8 toexpose power driven mechanism of the machine mounted in the frame 56.Journaled in bearings 22 (Fig. 3) located at opposite sides of the frameI6 is a camshaft 24 (Figs. 1 and 3) which carries a plurality of camsfor actuating the operating instrumentalities of the machine. The powerdrive of the machine is provided by a constantly rotating pulley 26arranged to rotate in a. clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. l, andmounted on one end of a fixed shaft 28 supported in bearings 36, 32projecting forwardly from the rear wall of e the frame I6, the shaftbeing secured against rotation by a pin 34 in the bearing 36. Thebearings 36, 32 are provided with upwardly extending portions havinghorizontal surfaces to which is secured, by screws 36, an oil containeror trough 38 which supplies oil for lubricating various moving parts. ofthe machine by a somewhat intricate oiling system including a pluralityof tubes 46 containing wicks which feed the oil to different parts ofthe machine. Since this oiling system forms no part of the presentinvention it will not be described in detail herein.

The pulley 26 may be motor driven or it may be driven by factory power,as desired. The pulley is secured by screws 42 to a sleeve 44' (Fig. 3)loosely mounted on the fixed shaft 28 and carrying near its inner end,as viewed in Fig. 3, a small pinion gear 46, the sleeve being held onthe shaft by a retaining plate 48 secured to the shaft by a screw 56.The pinion 46 meshes with a large gear 52 mounted on the cam shaft 24,the gear 52 being associated with the clutch mechanism for driving thecam shaft.

As herein illustrated, the clutch mechanism is of the general typedisclosed. in. Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,351,138,granted August 31, 1920, on an application filed in the name of R. B.Smith. The gear 52 has an outwardly tapering hub portion 54 ofsubstantial size and is bored internally at 56 to receive a bushing 58which is fast in the hub and rotates constantly with the gear about asleeve 66 secured to the cam shaft 24 by a pin 6|. Mounted 'for slidingmovement axially of the shaft on a reduced portion of the sleeve 66 is asemi-circular clutch member or dog 62 having a wedge-shaped tail portion64 (Fig. 3). The clutch dog 62 carries a pin 66 which has a sliding fitin an opening in the sleeve 66 so that the clutch dog will rotate withthe sleeve, the pin 66 being arranged to enter holes formed in anannulus or collar 68 secured by pins 76 at the bottom of the bore 56 ofthe gear 52. The pin 66 and member 62 are normally urged toward the gearby a compression spring l2 seated in an opening in the sleeve 66 andpressing against a small pin E i mounted transversely in the sliding pin66. The pin 66 is normally held out of engagement with the collar 68, sothat the gear 52 rotates idly on the sleeve 66, by one end of a clutchpin 16 slidably mounted in a bracket 18 secured to a support 59 (Fig. 1)formed in the frame I 6. The pin 16 is connected at its other end to achain 86 running over a pulley 82 mounted on a fixed shaft 86 secured byset screws 83 in bearings 85 projecting forwardly from the frame [6, thechain 86 connecting with a treadle (not shown) on the machine. Theclutch pin 16 is urged rearwardly of the machine to hold the clutch dog62 away from the sleeve 66 by a spring 86 (Fig. 1) mounted between thelegs of a bifurcated portion of the pin and bearing at its forward endagainst a confining strap 88 screwed to the bracket 18.

When the operator depresses the treadle the pin 16 is pulled away fromthe clutch dog 62, thus permitting the pin 66 to engage in one of theholes in the collar 68 which is rotating with the gear 52. This connectsthe sleeve 66 to the rotating gear and, since the sleeve 66 is pinnedtothe cam shaft 25, rotates that shaft. The operator may then releasethe treadle so that the clutch pin 16 will return to its initialposition and engage the wedge shaped portion of the dog 62 after onerevolution, thereby withdrawing the sliding pin 66 from its connectionwith the gear 52 and stopping the rotation of the cam shaft.

In order to cause the cam shaft 24 to stop quickly and in substantiallythe same position at the end of each revolution, the machine is providedwith a brake member consisting of a strap or band 96 (Fig. 1) ofsuitable brake material encircling the lower half of a spool shapedportion formed on the hub of one of the cams of the machine. The brake96 is normally pulled against the spool by rods 92 secured to theopposite ends of the brake and extending upwardly through a projectionor ledge 93 formed on one of the arms which carries part of theoperating instrumentalities of the machine. The rods 92 extend upwardlybeyond the projection 93 and have compression springs 94 surroundingtheir upper portions, the springs 94 being held in position by nuts: 96whereby the pressure of the springs may be varied. It will be seen fromthe foregoing that the brake is automatically released as the cam.member upon which it operates lowers the lever or arm supporting therods 92 and, conversely, the brake is applied as the cam elevates thisarm. As herein illustrated, the brake is associated with the hold-downor clamping cam and with the arm which carries the work clampingmechanism of the machine because this arm is actuated with respect tothe other mechanisms of the machine to release and apply the brake atthe proper time.

Referring now to the mechanism at the front of the machine, the frame [6has two forwardly projecting walls 98 connectedby a cross portion I66(Fig. 10) "and having formed in the outer sides of their upper portionsforwardly and downwardly extending grooves or shoulders I02 inclined atan angle of approximately 15 to the horizontal and in which are securedby screws I04 a pair of vertical guide plates I06, preferably chromiumplated. Each plate is provided with an elongated slot I08 parallel tothe shoulder I02 and approximately of an inch high. These slots formguideways for assisting in the introduction of a quarter lining into themachine in a position to be operated upon and they are of sufiicie-ntlength rearwardly of the machine to extend some distance beyond themeans for supporting the quarter lining.

The mechanism for supporting quarter linings in operative position inthe machine comprises a substantially rectangular or oblong block IIOresting on inwardly projecting shelves or shoulders H2 formed on theupper ends of the walls 98, the supporting block III] also being locatedat an. angle of approximately 15 to the horizontal to facilitate theintroduction and removal of the work in the machine and being retainedin position by screws II4 which fasten the block to the guide platesI06. The supporting block H0 is provided with a substantially centralopening or hole II6 (Figs. 1, 4, 6 and 11) which is generally triangularin shape but with the corners of the triangle substantially rounded toform an irregular ellipse. The base of the triangle is considerablygreater than its altitude and this base or, to state it another way, themajor axis of the ellipse extends widthwise of the supporting block, asviewed in Fig. 11, or in the direction of the greatest dimension. of aquarter lining mounted on the block. The forward side of the uppersurface of the block H0 is provided with small teeth or corrugations IIB(Figs. 6 and 7) which tend to grip the work and hold the clamped portionthereof against movement during the operation thereon, as will behereinafter explained.

In placing a quarter lining in position to be operated upon the operatorgrips the opposite ends of a quarter lining such, for example, as thatindicated by I20 in Fig. 12, and introduces it preferably grain side upinto the inclined slots 508 in the guide plates I06. rearwardly in theslots until the intermediate or central portion of the lining overliesor spans the opening H6 in the supporting block H0. Since the block I I0is located at an angle of about 15 to the horizontal to facilitate theintroduction and ejection of the work in the machine, it is desirablefor the operator to hold the work in position until it has been grippedby the clamping mechanism and, accordingly, the guide plates I06 at thistime act as guards to prevent injury to the operators hands during thework clamping operation.

The machine may be provided with supporting blocks IIO of differentsizes, that is, blocks having openings therein. which are of propersizes to accommmodate large quarter linings for use in mens shoes andblocks to accommodate quarter linings for use in smaller shoes such aswomens and childrens shoes. To change the supporting block it isnecessary only to remove the opposite screws I I4 and slide the blockout of the machine and introduce another block. When the quarter liningis properly positioned on the supporting block H0 a substantial width ofthe marginal portion of the quarter lining is contacting with the blockentirely around the opening II6.

In order to locate the quarter lining in the proper position forwardlyand rearwardly of the He then moves it machine the latter is providedwith adjustable gages located at opposite sides of the supporting blockI I0 as viewed in Fig. 10. These gages comprise rectangular bars I22(Figs. 6, 7 and 11) several inches long and having elongated slots I24formed in their forward portions, these slots corresponding in height tothe slots I08 in the guide plates I06 and being located in the sameplane. The gage members I22 are mounted for sliding movement relativelyto the supporting block IIO forwardly and rearwardly of the machine inguideways I26 formed by slots in the side plates I06 (Fig. 11) whichregister with shoulders or slots formed in adjacent portions of thesupporting block, these guideways I26 being also located at an angle ofsubstantially 15 to the horizontal, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6.

The gage members I 22 are adjustable in the guideways I26 relatively tothe supporting block H0 and are also arranged for sliding movement inthe guideways to eject the work from the machine after it has beenoperated upon. The mechanism for adjusting the gages and for actuatingthem to eject the work will now be described. Each gage and ejectormember I22 has pivoted to its inner end by a pin I28 a rearwardlyextending rod I30 the rear portion of which is threaded into a tubularextension member I32 which, in turn, is pivotally connected by a studscrew I34 to the upper end of an arm I36 secured to a shaft I36 by a pinI40 (Figs. 3 and 8); the arms I36 for both gages being interconnected bya cross portion I4I extending transversely of the machine below theshaft I38. Loosely mounted on the shaft I38, adjacent to the left-handarm I36, as viewed from the front of the machine, is a bell crank leverI42 (Fig. 8) having a lower rearwardly extending arm I44 carrying a rollI46 which engages a cam I48 (Figs. 1 and 3) secured to the cam shaft 24by a pin I50. The roll I46 is normally held against the high part of theejector cam by a tension spring IE2 secured at its lower end to the armI 44 and being hooked at its upper end over a projection E54 formed onthe oil trough 38. By this arrangement the roll I46 is caused to rideonto the low part of the cam I48 through the action of the spring I52 sothat the work ejecting motion of the ejectors, although predetermined bythe shape of the cam; is nevertheless yielding because of the tensionspring I52. This insures against injury to either the work or themachine in case the work should happen to catch or stick during theejecting operation.

The shaft I33 is loose in bearings I56 (Fig. 3) formed at opposite sidesof the machine and, accordingly, will turn or oscillate with theinterconnected arms I36 under the action of the cam I48. The bell cranklever I42 is provided at its upper end with a laterally extending bossI56, best shown in Fig. 8, in which is rotatably mounted a pin I60having a disk I62 formed on the end thereof nearest the arm. I36. Thedisk 162 carries an eccentric pin I64 which extends into a block I66mounted for sliding movement in a slot I68 formed lengthwise of the arm.I36. The pin I60 extends beyond the boss 153 and carries a hand wheel Iprovided on its inner side with a series of holes I12. The boss I58 hasan upwardly extending projection I14 formed thereon in which is fixed asmall indexing pin I16 (Figs. 8 and 9) having an end projecting inposition to enter the holes I12. The hand wheel I10 is mounted formovement lengthwise of the pin I60 by a key I18 fixed in. the shaft by aprojection I80 and engaging a keyway I82 in the hand wheel. The handwheel is urged against the boss I58 by a compression spring I84 held onthe pin I60 by a washer I86 and pin I88.

When it is desired to adjust the initial position of the combined gagesand ejectors I22 forwardly or rearwardly of the machine relatively tothe supporting plate IIU, the operator grasps the hand Wheel I10 andpulls it away from the indexing pin I16 against the spring I84 and turnsthe hand wheel and pin I69 to cause the eccentric pin I54 to move theblock I66 in the slot I68 and thereby to change the angular position ofthe arms I36 relatively to the arm: I42 which, in turn, will slide thegages and ejectors forwardly or rearwardly in their slots I26 into thedesired position relatively to the supporting block Hi The hand wheel His provided with numerals opposite the indexing holes to indicate theposition of the handle for operating on the various sizes of quarterlinings. The throw of the ejector cam M8 is sufficient to eject the workpiece from the machine when the members I22 are acting as ejectorsirrespective of the forward or rearward position into which they havebeen adjusted for operating as gages.

In order that the operator need not be conoerned with the ejection ofthe work pieces from the machine and may devote his attention entirelyto the introduction of the work, the machine is provided with a workreceiving receptacle or tray 5953 (Figs. 1 and 2) pivoted on the sideplates I65 by pins M2 and having a rectangular portion I94 for receivingthe work as it is ejected from the machine and also a forward V-shapedportion 96 on which work pieces to be operated on may be stacked, thusproviding a convenient arrangement for relieving the operator fromunnecessary work and for speeding up the production of the machine.

After the quarter lining has been positioned properly on the worksupporting block H0, it is clamped by power operated mechanism so thatthe portion of the quarter lining at the periphery of the opening H6 inthe supporting block and a substantial width of the material surroundingthe opening will be under relatively heavy pressure inorder that theclamped. portion will remain fiat and will not be deformed or distortedduring the stretching and conforming operations which are to beperformed on the portion of the quarter lining which is spanning theopening. The work clamping mechanism comprises a substantially U-shapedlever or arm. 2M pivoted on the fixed shaft 28 and located centrallywith respect to the supporting block IIll. Near its forward end the arm280 is provided with downwardly extending ears 20I (Figs. 1 and 6)between which is pivoted on a pin 202 a link 294 the lower end of whichis pivotally connected by a pin 2% to a cam lever 208, the forward endof the cam lever being pivotally mounted on the fixed shaft 84. Asillustrated in Fig. 1, the cam: lever 268 is directly behind another camlever of substantially the same shape and, accordingly, only a portionof the lever 208 appears through a break in the second lever referredto.

Near its rear or inner end the cam lever 208 carries a roll 2E0 (Figs. 1and 3) which rides on the periphery of a cam ZIZ hereinafter referred toas the holddown or clamping cam, the roll 2 IE! being directly behind asimilar roll associated with the second cam lever mentioned above and,accordingly, not showing separately in Fig. 1;

The cam H2 is secured to the cam shaft 24 by a pin 2I4 (Fig. 3) so thatthe cam moves only with the shaft. When the cam 2I2 is rotated onerevolution by the power mechanism already described, the cam roll 2H0,which is maintained in engagement with the cam 2i 2 by a tension spring2I6 hooked at its lower end to the cam lever 2533 and at its upper endto the trough 38, swings the lever 238 downwardly about its pivot 84:and, through the link 264, swings the clamping or holddown arm 2% apredetermined distance downwardly about its pivot 28 to move theclamping arm into clamping relation with the work. It will be seen fromthe foregoing that the operative movement or stroke of the arm 2% ispositive and predetermined by the shape of the cam 2I2.

The forward portion of the arm 206 is bifurcated to form two arms 2I8each provided with two bosses 225 located at right angles to the lengthof the arm, the bosses together forming the four corners of a rectanglesimilar to, but somewhat smaller in dimensions than, the supportingblock I Iii. The bosses 22B are hollow and contain relatively heavycompression springs 222 (Figs. 1, 6 and 10) surrounding screws 224 whichextend through the upper ends of the bosses and support on their lowerends a clamping plate 226, the plate having countersunk holes thereinfor receiving the heads of the screws. Lock nuts 228 on the up er endsof the screws hold the clamping plate 226 against the pressure of thecompression springs 222. The clamping plate 226 is provided with anopening 23:? (Figs. 4 and 7) corresponding substantially in shape oroutline to the opening i It in the supporting block I '0 but beingslightly smaller than that opening for operating on small shoes, so thatthe work piece will be clamped completely around the periphery of theelliptical or generally triangular opening in the supporting block. Theshape of the opening in the clamping plate 22% is best shown in Fig. 4.

The plate 226 has extending downwardly from its lower side anirregularly hexagonal portion considerably larger than the opening 23%in the plate and through which the opening extends, this hexagonalportion having horizontal grooves 232 (Figs. 4 and formed in its innerside faces and also across the opposite corners at its forward side, asshown in Fig. 4. Below the grooves 232 are ribs 234, as best shown inFig. 5, and this construction forms the means for securing to the lowersurface of the clamping plate a covering of relatively soft resilientmateria such, for example, as rubber of substantial thickness forengaging the work piece which is to be clamped against the support, therubber facing member 236 having a groove and a rib 238 for engaging thegroove 232 in the clamping plate and thereby holding the facing membersecurely in position. The rubber facing 236 is also provided at itsforward edge with a vertical V-shaped rib 233 which serves as anindicator or gage to assist in positioning the work widthwise of thesupporting block.

In order to remove a substantial part of the load from the holddown orclamping cam 73 I 2 and yet apply the desired pressure to the work, thefour compression springs 222 are initially compressed a predeterminedamount when the mechanism is assembled so that a relatively smallmovement of the clamping plate 225 against the compressed springs willproduce the required pressure. Preferably, each spring 222 is compressedinitially to exert a pressure of approximately two hundred and fiftypounds so that as the resilient facing member 236 engages the work piecethrough the operation of the holddown cam and is pressed thereagainstsufficiently to take the pressure away from the lock nuts 228, apressure of approximately one thousand pounds will be transferred fromthe plate 226 to the work piece. In this way there is no substantialload on the cam during the first part of its rotation. Moreover, sincethe initial compression of the springs obviates the necessity of theirbeing compressed during the operation of the machine by the action ofthe clamping cam 2| 2, the throw or rise of the cam need only besufficient to locate the clamping plate when inoperative a properdistance from the supporting block I Ill to permit the readyintroduction of the work. In other words, the throw of the cam 2I2 maybe considerably less than would be required if the springs were notunder initial compression and still leave sufficient space between theclamp and the supporting block to introduce the work. Since the holddowncam will be under the load of the clamping pressure only while the Workis actually engaged by the clamp, and since the work is clamped andreleased during a relatively small portion of the cycle of the machine,the speed of the machine may be considerably greater than it couldotherwise be.

It will be seen that the particular mounting of the clamping plateherein disclosed also operates to distribute or equalize the pressureap: plied to various portions of the work piece so that if the workpiece is not of uniform thickness throughout, the clamping plate canadjust itself into such a plane that the rubber facing 236 will engageall portions of the work piece with substantially the same amount ofpressure. As shown in Fig. 7, the rubber facing 236 has a hole 240 inits central portion which registers with the opening 231] in theclamping plate 226.

As stated, the quarter lining is preferably introduced into the machinegrain side up and with the lower or lasting margin of the lining nearerthe operator, this margin, as shown in Fig. 12, being relatively narrowacross the full width of the quarter lining. In order that this narrowlasting portion of the quarter lining will not slip inwardly toward theopening I I6 during the molding operationv and thereby cause theperiphery of the lining to lose its original shape, the front portion ofthe rubber facing 236 which engages the quarter lining is backed up orsupported by a rib 242 (Fig. 7) projecting downwardly from the clampingplate 226. The teeth I I8 also assist in preventing this forward clampedportion of the quarter lining from slipping. Thus, the clamped portionof the work which surrounds the opening I I6 in the supporting platewill be prevented from slipping around the entire opening .I I6 and willbe held perfectly flat during the conforming'or molding operation.Moreover, the pressure of the clamping member is such that this clampedportion of the quarter lining surrounding the opening H6 is notstretched or distorted in any way, thereby preserving the original shapeor periph eral dimension of the quarter lining. i p

The mechanism for forming or molding a bulge in the central portion ofthe quarter lining comprises an arm 244 pivoted at its inner end ontheshaft 28 and extending forwardly substantially midway between theopposite side portions of the yoked arm or lever 206. At its forward endthe arm 244 is provided with a rectangular boss 246,

open at the front and top and having a cover plate 248 secured theretoby screws 250. The boss 246 has a rectangular opening therein in whichis secured, by the cover 248, the rectangular shank portion 252 of amolding member or plunger 254. The work engaging portion of the plunger254 is preferablychromium plated to reduce friction against the workpiece and is shaped in plan view (Fig. 4) to conform substantially tothe peripheries of the openings in the clamping plate 226 and supportingblock I Ill except that it is a little smaller than the opening 230 inthe clamping plate so that it will pass readily therethrough and intoengagement with the portion of the work piece that is spanning theopening I I6 in the supporting block. That is to say, the plunger iselongated in the direction of the longest dimension of a quarter liningon the supporting block I I0 and is generally triangular in plan viewwith the corners of the triangle substantially rounded to produce anirregular ellipse. The plunger 254 is rounded or convex on its lower orwork engaging surface and tapers gradually toward its opposite ends, asviewed in Figs. 10 and 11, so that its central portion lies nearer theinitial plane of the work than its opposite. end portions. The bulgeformed by the plunger in the quarter lining will accordingly fit thecurved or convex portion of the heel end and side portions of a lastWithout any appreciable wrinkling or distortion of the quarter liningwhich, as shown in Fig. 12, is preferably formed of a single piece ofmaterial such as leather. In other words, the shape of the work engagingsurface of the plunger or molding member 254 is such that it will moldand stretch a substantial area of the exposed portion of the one piecequarter lining in a manner to cause the molded portion. to fit theconvexity or curvature at the heel end and side portions of a last.Moreover, as indicated above, the smooth polished surface on the plungerreduces friction between it and the work piece to such an extent thatthe work piece will stretch substantially equally throughout the entirearea spanning the opening in the supporting member and thereby stretchthe fibers at this portion of the material beyond their limit of elasticrecovery so that there will be little tendency thereafter for theleather to contract and offset the results of the molding operation.

The arm 244 is swung about its pivot to move the plunger 254 into andout of operative position by a link 256 pivotally secured at its upperend between ears 258 on the lower side of the arm by a pin 260 andconnected at its lower end by a pin 262 to a cam lever 264, referred toabove as being directly in front of the cam lever 26% and pivoted on thefixed shaft 84. The cam lever 264 extends rearwardly and carries a roll266 (Figs. 1 and 3) which rides on the periphery of a cam 268 which maybe called the plunger cam, the roll being held against the cam by aspring 210 extending between the cam lever 264 and a proje'ction on theoil trough 38. When the plunger cam 268 is rotated the lever 264 isswung downwardly about the pivot 84 and, through the link 256, the arm244 is moved downwardly a predetermined distance to operate the plungerand conform or mold the work piece, the annular portion of which is thenclamped in a substantially flat position on the supporting block IIH.

Since the. operative movement of the plunger 254 is positive and fixedby the shape of the cam 268, it is desirable to be able to vary theinitial position of the plunger with respect to the work r' so that itmay operate satisfactorily on different grades and sizes of quarterlinings. To this end the rectangular shank portion 252 of the plunger isarranged for heightwise adjustment in the boss 246 by means ofascrew-212 (Fig. 6) threaded into a tapped hole in the shank 252 andprovided at its upper end with a hand wheel 214 whereby the screw may beturned to move the plunger heightwise relatively to the end of the arm244. This adjustment is limited by a small pin 276 mounted in the coverplate 248 and entering a vertical slot 218 in. the shank portion of theplunger. The screw 212 is prevented from turning of its own accord inthe plunger by a spring pressed detent 280 (Fig. 10) mounted in theupper portion of the boss. 246 and arranged to enter a depression formedin the upper portion of the screw 212. The front side of the cover plate248 is provided with a square opening and the forward surface of therectangular shank 252 of the plunger is graduated (Fig. 10) so that theadjustment may be made in accordance with the size of the work piecebeing operated upon.

It will be seen that, as the plunger descends into engagement with thequarter lining and forces the portion thereof spanning the opening H6downwardly in the supporting block and then returns to its inoperativeposition, there will be a tendency for the molded portion of the quarterlining to remain in the opening rather than to return to its originalflat position. This would, of course, interfere with the operation ofthe ejectors I22 which operate thereafter to eject the work from themachine. Accordingly, means is provided to insure that the work piecewill not remain depressed too far into the opening II6 when the ejectorsoperate. This means comprises a stripper member consisting of a smallshaft 282 mounted for heightwise sliding movement in a boss 284 formedon the cross portion I00 of the frame I6 which extends between the sidewalls 98. The upper end of the shaft 282 has an enlarged platelikeportion 286 located directly under the plunger and adapted toengage thework piece I20, as shown in Figs. 7 and 11, when the plunger isoperating thereon and to move downwardly yieldingly under the action ofthe plunger. The stripper member is normally maintained at the upperlimit of its heightwise movement and is permitted toyield under theforce of the plunger by a compression spring 288, the upper limit ofsaid heightwise movement being determined by nuts 290 threaded on thelower end of the shaft 282. Accordingly, when the plunger 254 isreturning to its inoperative position after molding the quarter lining,the stripper 232 moves upwardly under the plunger and work piece andreturns the molded portion of the work piece to a more nearly fiatposition so that it does not extend suificiently into the opening H6 tointerfere with the ejection of the quarter lining from the machine bythe ejectors I22.

In the operation of the machine, the operator selects a quarter liningfrom the tray I and, holding the opposite end portions of the quarterlining, introduces it, preferably grain side up, into the slots I68 inthe guide plates I06. He moves the work piece rearwardly at the sametime centralizing it widthwise of the machine by the aid of theprojection 233 on the rubber facing 236 so that the central portion ofthe quarter lining will overlie or bridge the opening I I6 in thesupporting plate H0. The rearward position of the quarter lining isdetermined by the position of the ends of the slots I24 in the gagesI22, which may be adjusted beforehand in accordance with the size of thework piece by the hand wheel I10.

The operator then depresses the treadle of the machine to engage theclutch and rotate the cam shaft 24. The clamping arm 200 thereupondescends to bring the rubber facing 236 of the clamping plate 226 intoclamping engagement with the work under the pressure of approximatelyone thousand pounds. As stated, the shape and construction of theclamping member is such that the quarter lining will be clamped firmlyentirely around the periphery of the opening I I6 in the supportingblock and a substantial portion of the quarter lining surrounding thisopening will also be clamped in a flat position, thereby insuring thatthe quarter lining will not slip to distort the outline thereof or topermit a greater area to be molded than is desired. While the clampingplate is moving into operative position the plunger 254 is descendingand, after the work is securely clamped, moves against the center of theportion of the quarter lining spanning or bridging the opening II6 anddescends a predetermined distance into said opening to mold and stretchthe material spanning the opening the desired amount. As stated above,the smooth polished surface of the plunger permits the entireunsupported portion of the quarter lining overlying the opening I I 6 tostretch substantially uniformly throughout, and the plunger will havebeen adjusted to the proper heightwise position relatively to itsoperating arm to insure that the stretching action will be justsufficient to produce the molding effect desired without tearing theleather.

The plunger returns almost immediately to inoperative position and,while it is so returning, the clamp or holddown member 226 is releasedfrom the work by the action of its cam and the ejectors I22 are thenoperated to eject the conformed work piece from the machine. Theejecting operation is facilitated by the action of the stripper member282 which moves the molded portion of the quarter lining out of theopening II6 so that the quarter lining will slide readily off the supporting block IIO.

Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate the quarter lining after a bulge 292 has beenformed therein, Fig. 12 showing the outline of the bulge, as seen inplan view, and Fig. 13 showing the bulge as it would appear with thequarter lining bent into a position for engaging the curvature at theheel and side portions of a last. It will be seen from these figuresthat the molded portion of the quarter lining is located substantiallyat its central or intraniarginal area and covers a relatively largeelliptical shaped portion which tapers gradually toward the oppositeends of the quarter lining. It has been found that this particular shapeand size of bulge is best adapted to produce a proper fit of a onepiecequarter lining over the curvature at the heel end. of a last. Since themolded area has been stretched as well as conformed by the shapingoperation thereon, it will retain this shape or bulge permanently sothat a quarter lining which has just been molded need not be usedimmediately in a shoe.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for supporting a quarter lining with a portionthereof spanning an opening, means for clamping the quarter liningentirely around the periphery of said opening, and chromium plated meansfor stretching that portion only of the quarter lining which spans theopening substantially uniformly throughout its entire area, said meansbeing constructed and arranged to engage only a part of the portion ofthe quarter lining spanning the opening.

2. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for supporting a quarter lining in a substantiallyfiat position with an intramarginal portion thereof bridging an opening,yielding means for clamping the quarter lining around the entireperiphery of said opening, and means for molding only the portion of thequarter lining bridging said opening to form a bulge therein, said meansbeing adapted also to stretch the entire bridging portion of the quarterlining substantially uniformly throughout its entire area while engagingonly the central part of said bridging portion.

3. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for supporting a quarter lining with a generallytriangular intramarginal portion thereof unsupported, means for clampingthe quarter lining around the periphery of the unsupported portion, aplunger for molding said unsupported portion to form a generallytriangular last-receiving bulge, said plunger having a highly polishedwork engaging surface adapted to slip readily on the work withoutsubstantial friction and thereby to permit the entire unsupportedportion to stretch substantially uniformly during the molding operation,and means for actuating said plunger so that only a part of its workengaging surface engages said unsupported portion during its operativemovement, thereby further facilitating the uniform stretching action.

4. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for supporting a quarter lining with itsintramarginal portion spanning a substantially elliptical opening in thesupporting means, the longer axis of said opening extending lengthwiseof the quarter lining means for clamping a substantial width of saidquarter lining completely around the periphcry of said opening, and aplunger movable into said opening for molding the portion of the quarterlining spanning the opening, said plunger being formed and operated toengage only an intramarginal area of said portion progressively fromcenter to edge, thereby stretching the part of said portion which isbridged between the plunger and the periphery of the opening after theplunger engages the quarter lining, the work engaging surface of saidplunger being polished to reduce friction and thereby to permit theportion of the quarter lining contacting therewith to slip readilythereon and thus to stretch as much as the part bridged between theplunger and the periphery of the opening.

5. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, a supporting member having an opening therein, means forclamping a quarter lining on said member with a central portion thereofbridging said opening, a plunger operable to engage only the centralpart of the portion of the quarter lining located within the peripheryof said opening and for shaping said part to form a bulge and forsimultaneously stretching the portion of the quarter lining locatedwithin the periphery of said opening but not engaged by said plunger,said plunger being arranged to move a predetermined distance and havinga chromium plated work engaging portion arranged to permit the centralpart of the quarter lining engaged thereby to slip readily thereon andthereby to stretch substantially the same amount as the portion locatedwithin the periphery of said opening but not engaged by the plungerduring its operative movement.

6. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, power operated means for clamping a quarter liningyieldingly completely around its marginal portion with the entireportion thereof within the periphery of the clamped portion unsupported,a plunger for op erating on the unsupported portion of said quarterlining, and means for relatively moving the quarter lining and theplunger a predetermined distance to shape the entire area of saidunsupported portion by contact of the plunger with only an intramarginalarea of said unsupported portion.

'7. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, power operated means for clamping an annular portion of aquarter lining, a plunger for operating on said quarter lining, poweroperated means for actuating said plunger, and means for adjusting theplunger relatively to its actuating means thereby predetermining theeffective stroke of said plunger.

8. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, power operated means for clamping a quarter lining with acentral portion thereof spanning an opening, a plunger for molding saidcentral portion, power operated means for relatively moving the plungerand the clamping means to cause the plunger to shape the central portionof the quarter lining, and means operating on the plunger alone forvarying the operative effect of said relative movement.

9. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for clamping a quarter lining with a central portionthereof unsupported, a plunger movable to engage the unsupported centralportion of the quarter lining and to shape said portion to form a lastreceiving bulge, power operated means for moving the plunger apredetermined distance in performing the shaping operation, and meansfor adjusting the position of the plunger relatively to said poweroperated means.

10. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for supporting a quarter lining to be operated upon,single means for clamping an annular portion of the quarter liningagainst the supporting means, power operated means for actuating saidclamping means, said power operated means being constructed and arrangedto move the clamping means a predetermined distance during the clampingoperation, means for causing the single clamping means to apply pressureuniformly to all parts of the clamped annular portion, and a plungermovable independently of said clamping means for operating upon thequarter lining.

11. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, a support for holding a quarter lining in a position to beoperated upon, single means for clamping an annular portion of thequarter lining against the support, springs carried by said clampingmeans and compressed initially under a predetermined pressure, and a camfor moving the clamping means, said cam having an operative portionthereon sufficient only to transfer the pressure of said springs fromthe clamping means to the work, said construction minimizing thedistance the clamping means has to travel to apply predeterminedpressure to the work.

12. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, a support for holding a quarter lining in a position to beoperated upon, means for clamping the quarter lining against thesupport, a cam for moving the clamping means a predetermined distanceinto clamping relation with the work, and springs. carried by saidclamping means and initially exerting a predetermined pressure againstthe work engaging portion thereof which pressure is transferred to thework through the movement of the clamping means by the cam, the pressureconfined in said springs relieving the cam from any pressLue applyingload until the last part of its operative movement.

13. A machine for operating on quarter linings having, in combination,means for supporting a quarter lining to be operated upon, means movabletoward said supporting means for clamping the quarter lining inoperative position, means for initially confining a predeterminedpressure within the clamping means itself, means for moving the clampingmeans only a sufficient distance toward the work to cause the pressureinitially confined in said clamping means to be exerted on the work, andmeans independent of movement of the clamping means for operating on thequarter lining.

14. A machine for operating on quarter linings having, in combination,means for supporting a quarter lining to be operated upon, a clamp forpressing the quarter lining against the supporting means, an armcarrying said clamp, springs under predetermined compression between theclamp and the arm urging the clamp away from said arm, and a cam formoving the arm toward the supporting means to transfer the pressure ofthe compressed springs to the work, said cam having a predeterminedshort throw and operating without any pressure applying load during thegreater part of its operative movement.

15. In a machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes, a block forsupporting a quarter lining to be operated upon, an arm movablerelatively to said block, a plate carried by the arm for clamping thework on the block, springs urging the plate away from the arm undersubstantial initial pressure, bolts passing through the plate and armand surrounded by said springs, nuts on said bolts for retaining themand the plate onv the arm against the pressure of said springs, and acam for moving the arm only a suflicient distance to transfer theinitial pressure of said springs from the plate to the Work..

16. In a machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes, means forclamping a work piece in position to be operated upon, said meanscomprising a fixed support, an arm movable relatively to the support, acam for actuating said arm, a substantially rectangular work engagingplate carried by the arm for pressing the work piece against the supportand thereby clamping said work piece, and springs between the arm andthe four corners of the plate for automatically equalizing the pressureapplied by the clamping means to the work piece.

1'7. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for clamping an annular portion of a quarter liningwith an intramarginal portion thereof unsupported, and means forstretching said unsupported portion to form a last receiving bulge, saidstretching means comprising a plunger having a convex work engagingportion elongated in the direction of the longest dimension of thequarter lining and tapering into rounded end portions from a relativelywide central portion.

18. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for clamping an annular portion of a quarter liningwith an intramarginal portion thereof unsupported, and means for moldingsaid unsupported portion to form a last receiving bulge, said moldingmeans comprising a plunger having a convex work engaging surfacerelatively wide at the center and tapering gradually into rounded endportions, the longest dimension of the plunger extending in thedirection of the longest dimension of the quarter lining.

19. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for clamping an annular portion of a quarter liningwith an intramarginal portion thereof unsupported, and means forstretching said unsupported portion to form a last receiving bulge, saidstretching means comprising a plunger having a generally triangularshape in plan view, the base of the triangle extending in the directionof the longest dimension of the quarter lining, the work engagingportion of said plunger being transversely convex.

20. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes. having, incombination, means for clamping an annular portion of a quarter liningwith an intramarginal portion thereof unsupported, and means forstretching said unsupported portion to form a last receiving bulge, saidstretching means comprising a plunger being approximately triangular inplan view with the base of the triangle greater than its altitude andsaid base extending in the direction of the greatest dimension of thequarter lining.

21. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for clamping an annular portion of a quarter liningwith an intramarginal portion thereof unsupported, and means for moldingand stretching said unsupported portion to form a last receiving bulge,said molding and stretching means comprising a plunger approximatelyelliptical in plan view with its major axis extending in the directionof the greatest dimension of the quarter lining.

22. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for clamping an annular portion of a quarter liningwith an intramarginal portion thereof unsupported, and means forstretching said unsupported portion to form a last receiving bulge, saidstretching means comprising a plunger having the shape in plan view ofan irregular ellipse formed by rounding the corners of an obtuseisosceles triangle, the major axis of the irregular ellipse extending inthe direction of the greatest dimension of the quarter lining.

23. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for supporting a quarter lining, said meanscomprising a substantially oblong member having an opening therein whichis generally triangular in shape but with the corners of the trianglesubstantially rounded, the base of said triangle being greater than itsaltitude and extending lengthwise of said supporting member, and aplunger for shaping a portion of the quarter lining spanning saidopening, said plunger conforming substantially in plan view to the shapeof said opening and having a smooth convex work engaging portion whichtapers gradually toward the opposite end portions of the plunger, thecentral portion of the plunger lying nearer the initial plane of thework than the opposite end portions.

24. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, a support for holding a quarter lining, means for clampingsaid quarter lining on the support, said support having a generallytriangular opening therein arranged to underlie an intramarginal portionof the quarter lining and conforming substantially in shape to apredetermined outline of a convex portion of the heel end and sideportions of a last, said clamping means having a substantiallyrectangular work engaging surface thereon adapted to clamp a substantialarea of the quarter lining surrounding the opening in said support andhaving an opening therein arranged to register with the opening in thesupport, and a plunger arranged to pass readily through said openings toshape the entire portion of the quarter lining spanning the openings.

25. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for supporting a quarter lining to be operated upon,and means for determining the position of the quarter lining relativelyto the supporting means and for ejecting said quarter lining from saidsupporting means after it has been operated upon.

26. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for supporting a quarter lining to be operated upon,and power operated means acting on an edge portion of the quarter liningfor ejecting it from the supporting means after it has been operatedupon.

27. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoe having, incombination, means for supporting a quarter lining to be operated upon,and power operated means for ejecting the quarter lining from thesupporting means after the operation on the quarter lining has beencompleted, said means being arranged to act yieldingly on the quarterlining.

28. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for supporting a quarter lining to be operated upon,means for determining the position of the quarter lining on thesupporting means, and means for adjusting said positioning meansrelatively to the supporting means, said adjusting means including anindexing member for adjusting the positioning means into a plurality ofpredetermined positions.

29. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, a support for holding a quarter lining to be operated upon,a gage for determining the proper position of the quarter lining on thesupport, means for varying the initial position of said gage relativelyto the support for different types of work, and means for effectingrelative movement of the gage and support to eject the quarter liningfrom the support after it has been operated upon.

30. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, a support for holding a quarter lining to be operated upon,a gage for determining the position of the quarter lining transverselyof the support, means for moving the gage relatively to the support toeject the work therefrom after it has been operated upon, and means forvarying the initial position of the gage relatively to the supportwithout affecting the ejecting movement imparted to the gage by saidmoving means.

31. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, a rectangular support for holding a quarter lining to beoperated upon, members at opposite sides of said support and slidablerelatively thereto for ejecting the quarter lining after it has beenoperated upon, power operated means for sliding said members. relativelyto the support, and means for varying the initial position of saidmembers without altering the sliding movement imparted thereto by saidpower operated means.

32. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, a support for a quarter lining to be operated upon, gagemembers for determining the position of the quarter lining relatively tothe support, means for varying the initial position of said gage membersrelatively to the support for work of different sizes, and means formoving said gage members transversely of the support to eject the workafter it has been operated upon, said means being constructed andarranged to operate the gage mem-- bers yieldingly so that the work willnot be injured during the ejecting operation.

33. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, a support upon which a quarter lining may be placed by anoperator to have work performed thereon, means for clamping the quarterlining under substantial pressure while held in position on the supportby the operator, and means for preventing injury to the operators handsduring the clamping operation.

34. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, a support for a quarter lining to be operated upon, a gagefor determining the position in which the work may be held by anoperator on the support, means for clamping the work on the support, andmeans for preventing injury to the operators hands during the clampingoperation.

35. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, a support for a quarter lining to be operated upon, meansfor clamping the work on the support under substantial pressure, a gagefor determining the position in which the work may be located by anoperator on the support, means for actuating the clamping means afterthe work has been positioned on the support and while it is still heldby the operator, and a guard for preventing injury to the operatorshands during the clamping operation.

36. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for supporting a quarter lining to be operated uponin a substantially fiat position, means for clamping the quarter liningon said supporting means, a plunger for forming a last receiving bulgein an intermediate portion of the quarter lining, means for ejecting thequarter lining from the supporting means after the bulge has been formedtherein, and means for preventing the bulged portion of the quarterlining from interfering with its ejection from the supporting means.

37. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for supporting a quarter lining in a fiat positionwith an intramarginal portion thereof spanning an opening in thesupporting means, means for forming a last receiving bulge in theportion of the quarter lining spanning said opening by displacing saidportion into the opening, means for ejecting the quarter lining afterthe bulge has been formed, and means for automatically moving the bulgedportion of the quarter lining out of the opening prior to the ejectingoperation, thereby preventing the bulge from interfering with theejecting operation.

38. A machine for operating on quarter linings for shoes having, incombination, means for supporting a quarter lining with an annularportion overlying an opening in the supporting means, a power operatedclamp movable relatively to the supporting means for clamping the workpiece thereon, said clamp having an opening therein which registers withthe opening in the supporting means, thereby exposing the work piece atsaid'opening, a power operated plunger corresponding in shape to theopenings in the clamp and supporting means for shaping the entireportion of the work piece overlying said openings to form a lastreceiving bulge, said plunger being adapted to stretch the materialoperated upon substantially equally throughout its entire area, poweroperated means for ejecting the work piece from the supporting meansafter the bulge has been formed therein, and resilient means operatingautomatically to prevent the bulge from interfering with the ejection ofthe work piece.

39. That improvement in methods of treating quarter linings for shoewhich comprises clamping in a flat position against slippage asubstantial marginal portion of a quarter lining completely enclosing anintramarginal portion substantially triangular in shape with the base ofthe triangle greater than its altitude and extending lengthwise of thequarter lining, the entire area of said intramarginal portion enclosedby said clamped portion being entirely unsupported, and forcing saidunsupported portion out of said fiat position while still unsupported atany part thereof to form a last receiving bulge while simultaneouslystretching the entire unsupported portion enclosed by said clampedportion a substantially uniform amount beyond the limit of its elasticrecovery.

40. That improvement in methods of treating quarter linings for shoeswhich comprises clamping against slippage in its own plane a marginalportion of a quarter lining completely enclosing an entirely unsupportedintramarginal portion of substantial area and approximately ellipticalin shape with the major axis of the ellipse extending in the directionof the greatest dimension of the quarter lining, and forcing the entireunsupported elliptical portion of the quarter lining enclosed by theclamped portion out of its own plane while still unsupported at any partthereof by a plunger the surface of which has a small coefiicient offriction with the unsupported elliptical portion, thereby producing alast receiving bulge in said unsupported elliptical portion andpermanently stretching said portion substantially uniformly throughoutits entire area.

41. A machine for shaping a heel lining preparatory to the lastingoperation having, in combination, a work support having an aperture tobe overlaid by the heel lining, a clamp for clamping the heel liningupon the Work support, and means operating while the heel lining remainsclamped upon the work support for producing a depression in that portionof the heel lining overlying the aperture.

AXEL A. LAWSON.

